Life tilted on its axis

That old adage about never being too complacent held true for me recently because life certainly chucked a curved ball in our direction, which completely upended our quiet and well-ordered, comfortable existence. With no warning at all this was our fate in early December, a few short weeks ago. Although for completely different reasons it’s also been the equally unexpected fate of several friends. This could be sheer coincidence, an indication of our ages, or an example in miniature of the chaotic state of the wider world where the full force of climate change fury is being felt across this country, while elsewhere in the world humanity is hellbent on waging war and destruction, and causing devastation and grief. It all makes a complete mockery of the ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men’ that is a feature of the Christian calendar during December/January in many parts of the globe. It’s a celebration that rang very hollow for many people in 2025 – and is continuing to do so. All that annual optimism that normally surrounds the start of a new year also felt a bit desperate.

But despite the challenges it’s important to keep on keeping on, so that’s what we’re doing but even the vegetable garden has let us down this year. Like many others we know, the tomato harvest has been pathetic. Almost non-existent actually. Climate again played its part with a cold spring that unexpectedly reversed back to winter for a week in October that wrecked so many of the seedlings. They simply couldn’t cope. As a result all but one of the tomato plants turned up their toes, So did the cucumbers, capsicums and blackcurrants. Raspberries are also limping along. I’m picking enough for a bowlful each for dessert each evening, but the freezer certainly won’t be receiving too many of this season’s crop. There aren’t a lot of boysenberries in there either this time. Beating the blackbirds and starlings was an uphill battle but even then the crop wasn’t as prolific as usual. So far therefore it’s pumpkins that are producing well, but unless we get some rain they too will struggle. Rain is supposedly coming tomorrow but as it’s been forecast before to no avail, I’m not holding my breath.

 The photo therefore isn't truly relevant for this year's harvest!